Before starting at university I was unsure what career path to take. Now in my fourth year at university, I’m studying the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Principles of Occupational Therapy) and Master of Occupational Therapy – and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
As a student I am often asked what a career as an Occupational Therapist might look like. Occupational Therapists work in many settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community mental health services, aged care facilities and private clinics. We work with clients of all ages who need support to complete meaningful everyday activities.
In our profession the term ‘occupation’ refers to the everyday activities that bring meaning and purpose to life. This forms the focus of our work, regardless of the practice setting. For example, an Occupational Therapist working with children and families might focus on developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination so a child can better engage in handwriting activities at school. Occupational Therapists working in hospitals often help clients return to their daily lives following a hip replacement or stroke. This could involve providing specific therapy or modifying a client’s home environment to improve safety and independence. In mental health services, Occupational Therapists help clients to develop coping strategies for managing their mental health issues. These are just a few examples – Occupational Therapists work in many other settings too. The broad range of work areas is part of what makes a career in Occupational Therapy so rewarding!
Within the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy we complete topics in anatomy, neuroscience, health promotion, communication, rehabilitation and professional practice. There is a focus on learning clinical skills that translate directly to practice, and by the end of the course each student will have clocked at least 1000 hours of placement. To find out more about Occupational Therapy at Flinders University browse the information on our website.
All the best,
Annabel